Progressivism is nothing more than a euphemism for “Slow Communism” or, if you like, “incremental Socialism”. Communism is the result of a quick “BANG!” while incremental Socialism is the proverbial hand torquing up the water temperature under the frog. All it takes is an uninvolved electorate and people that think like this:
- NH State Rep Kris Roberts (D): “Government has to protect us from our own stupidity.”
- NH State Rep Leigh Webb (D): “The role of government is to legislate behavior“
And there is no opting out with these people either; it’s “one for all” whether you want to play along or not. Progressivism knows no “aisle” – there are some Republicans that believe in this same vein as the chuckleheads above. Some permanently and some wig-wag back and forth. To that latter group, we can now add NH State Rep Steve Vaillancourt (R) – the self-professed Libertarian (e.g., “Let people choose for themselves”) in joining the Progressive totalitarian spectrum (“Iss verboten!”; emphasis mine and reformatted):
CONCORD — Legislative efforts to ban smoking used to draw huge crowds to lengthy public hearings where heavy hitters testified for or against prohibition. Eventually, smoking bans were approved at restaurants, bars, public buildings such as the State House and some private buildings. Social, fraternal or religious organizations have continued to welcome smokers because (1) they have restricted memberships and (2) some key lawmakers — including former state Sen. Jack Barnes, R-Raymond — did not want to restrict World War II veterans’ activities after they had served and sacrificed for their country. Two bills will be introduced in the 2014 session that may change things, however. A House bill will be sponsored by Rep. Steve Vaillancourt, R-Manchester, and a Senate bill will be sponsored by Sen. Lou D’Allesandro. “I’ve always felt that if secondhand smoke will kill you in a restaurant, it will kill you in a social club,” Vaillancourt said, noting the exemption has been debated before.
Right – so social clubs can make their own decisions as – in essence, the Freedom to decide if they were to allow smoking or not.
And why not? Well, Progressives don’t care about you making a choice about your own life – you aren’t responsible or smart enough to do so (unless, of course, you are female and wish to kill your unborn baby. At which time, the baby has no choice at all). People can then decide to be members or not, and decide to work there or not. Vaillancourt has decided that even if you were willing to die for your country, he is very willing to legislate these veterans behaviors because they are too stupid to do the right thing (in his eyes).
A TRUE Libertarian would never be taking such an action – to become a mini-me Roberts / Webb. Democrat does without a single care – after all, being a victim means Government has to come to your rescue and nothing says victim like voluntarily being around those that smoke. I guess that “just say no” isn’t final until some suck-up gets Government to say it. I guess his inner totalitarian got the best of him – and there is no arguing otherwise.
D’Allesandro said he was approached by members of Sweeney Post 2 and asked to put in the legislation. “I’m happy to do that for my constituents,” D’Allesandro said. “They want to have a smoke-free environment.” Former post commander and current historian Mike Lopez said the post became non-smoking last July, noting it took about five years. He said a survey was done of the World War II veterans who belong to the post’s cribbage club and not one of them smoked. Lopez said the post also surveyed its 1,300 members several times and eventually came to the conclusion a ban was the best thing to do. After the ban was instituted, “people who stayed away came back to the post,” Lopez said. “A lot of women who would not come with their husbands now come here.” He said they checked with other posts in Manchester and across the state. and many either prohibited smoking, limited it during dinners or were considering a ban.
First, I’m not at all surprised that D’Allesandro is willing to do this – it is, after all, what today’s Democrats do. All or nothing – one size fits all and if we missed someone on the way in, not to worry – we’ll catch you on the second round (how DARE someone be exempt from second hand smoke!). If a private club decides to institute its own smoking ban on its own property at the behest of a majority of their membership (or their executive board or other leadership format), I have no problem at all with that. In fact while I may have an opinion, it doesn’t matter: I don’t belong to that club. My opinion should have NO standing at all in this with respect to what the club does.
I DO have an opinion when it rises to a private club that wishes to have Government enforce its voluntary ban involuntarily on everyone else. Especially other clubs that had no intent of putting in a smoking ban. And here is a club that voluntarily did its own ban – but very happy to see Government take choice away from others. And self-declared Libertarian Vaillancourt is dandy with this. Somehow, this action doesn’t fit hi s self-absorbed philosophy.
Lopez supports the ban.
“Why should nonsmokers have to sit at a card game with people smoking,” he said, “when it’s not good for your health?”
The food and lodging industry opposed bans when they were first proposed, but eventually decided a statewide ban would level the playing field for everyone. It also didn’t hurt that the ban allowed restaurant owners and managers to blame government for a smoker’s inconvenience.
Yeah, the “I’m innocent because government is the guilty one” – a perfect scapegoat! Except the Progressives in Government are smiling like Cheshire Cats as the useful idiots have once again been both useful and idiots. Freedom dies a wee bit once more under the guise of “safety and security”.
Mike Lopez, not content on their own ban, uses the force of Govt to make all posts like his (easier to make Govt the scapegoat instead of standing tall oneself).
Splendid.
